Chapter 123

EP.123 Interlude – Marcella

“Ugh…”

Yuria slowly opened her eyes.

After rolling her pupils around for a moment, she suddenly sat up when her gaze met mine.

And then she hugged me tightly.

“Master…!”

“Yeah, it’s me. Did you have a good dream?”

“Yes…!”

I silently patted Yuria’s back to reassure her.

After holding onto me for a while, she looked around to confirm where she was.

Recognizing the familiar house, Yuria let out a sigh of relief.

Then she grabbed her hair and pulled it to her face.

“I… haven’t changed, have I…?”

She believes that her current form as a retainer is her true self.

So she’s not saying she’s changed, but that she hasn’t changed.

“That’s right. You’re still in your true form.”

“Ah…♡”

Yuria exhaled a warm breath and looked at me with teary eyes.

“Please… take care of me… Master…!”

“Come to the office apartment where Sehwa and I live soon.”

At those words, Yuria gulped.

She instinctively felt it. That Sehwa holds a higher rank than her.

“Ah, I understand…”

“Don’t be too afraid. I’ve already talked to Sehwa. How’s your current condition?”

“I’m… fine. I feel refreshed.”

“I see.”

I opened a portal in the air leading to the Antarctic secret base.

Then I dressed Yuria in a simple T-shirt and pants and held out my hand.

“I’ll introduce you to the subordinates.”

“Ah, yes…”

Yuria shyly took my hand.

We stepped through the portal and arrived at the audience room in the Antarctic base.

Inside, Marcella was standing alone.

Yuria’s eyes widened when she saw her.

“You…!”

“Lady Yuria, it’s an honor to serve you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Marcella calling Yuria “Lady Yuria.”

Lady Yuria? Have you been watching too many historical dramas?

Marcella awkwardly smiled and bowed her head.

She seemed quite embarrassed.

Seeing Marcella’s reaction, Yuria relaxed and smiled softly.

“You’re Master’s advisor… Marcella… right? I’d like to call you by your name.”

“Ah, understood… Lady Yuria.”

Marcella seemed even more intimidated than when she met Sehwa.

In fact, it made sense. Yuria knew about Marcella’s existence.

She wasn’t as intense as me, but she was the next person who had a grudge against Marcella.

That’s why Marcella was so afraid of Yuria.

She was worried that Yuria might retaliate for the past torment.

To cut to the chase, Marcella was worrying for nothing.

If it were before Yuria’s fall, she would have definitely tried to smash Marcella’s head.

Even now, as a retainer, she would be cold to the lower beings.

But Marcella was different.

Knowing that Marcella was my right hand, Yuria would be grateful to her.

For supporting me well.

“Thank you for taking good care of the Demon King, Marcella. I look forward to working with you.”

Look at that. The princess’s inherent kindness hasn’t gone anywhere.

Moisture gathered in Marcella’s eyes.

While she had been treated like a chair by Sehwa, Yuria’s reaction was so kind that Marcella was moved.

“I will… sob…! Serve Lady Yuria with all my heart…!”

Sniffling, Marcella made that vow, wiped her tears, and brought a dress.

It was the dress she wore at the castle, with a short frilly skirt that revealed her legs.

Yuria’s eyes widened at the familiar design.

“This is…”

“My gift to you. Doesn’t it remind you of Erandel?”

“Th-thank you…! Master…!”

“Go change into it.”

“Yes!”

Yuria left the audience room with Marcella, changed her clothes, and returned.

Wearing the dress, Yuria felt different from how she did in the lucid dream.

Back then, she had worn this dress just before her fall.

But now? The black hair, purple dress, and shoes suited her perfectly.

Her long, white legs were also alluring.

It was a pity that the demon realm wasn’t visible, but the princess’s grace naturally shone through, which wasn’t bad.

Yuria approached me with a noble gesture and sat in the seat I had prepared.

At the same time, demons began to emerge from the carpet on both sides of the audience room.

Starting with Amon, the Four Knights, Sabnak, and others who had died in the lucid dream were summoned.

It felt strange. This was my base that Yuria had desperately searched for.

And now she was here not as an enemy, but as an ally, and even in the position of a concubine.

The demons standing on both sides of the audience room were also those Yuria had once sharpened her blade of revenge against.

But now, Yuria sat naturally, looking at the demons as if they were her subordinates.

Is this enough to be considered a fetish? Probably not.

“It feels… new… There are clearly many demons I once wanted to kill…”

At Yuria’s cold words, the demons flinched.

“How do you feel now?”

“Now… they look so beautiful… It feels like I’m looking at my own children…”

The demons sighed in relief.

Some, like Marcella, were moved by Yuria’s warmth, which was the opposite of Sehwa’s.

You weaklings… How can you attack humans like this?

“I see.”

“But I’m still not used to it… It feels unfamiliar…”

“You’ll get used to it if you see them often. You’ll probably play pranks on them like Sehwa does.”

“Ah… yes…!”

“I have some business to attend to, so I’ll head back to Korea. What about you?”

“Can I stay here for a while? I feel at ease…”

She’s adapting well, in a different way from Sehwa.

I readily granted her request and took the portal alone.

**

“Jihyuk!”

I turned my head at the voice coming from beside me while looking at my phone.

A woman with well-maintained black short hair, swaying brightly.

With a fresh girlfriend look fitting for a lively 20-year-old.

I gave Oh Yeonsu a bright smile.

“Long time no see.”

“It’s been a really long time. I was surprised when you called.”

“I just wanted to see my old friends.”

“If you wanted to see your friends, you could have asked to be invited back to the group chat.”

You sly fox. Did you want to hear that I wanted to meet you one-on-one?

I just responded with a sly smile.

Then Yeonsu tapped my arm.

“You’ve changed a lot? Like… you’ve become more active?”

When I was in college, I had the image of a sickly bookworm.

Pretending to be someone who had lost their parents and become pale, I wasn’t in great shape before taking a leave of absence.

But now it’s different. I could even say I’ve undergone a complete transformation.

Yeonsu, who already had an interest in me, must be feeling jealous of Sehwa seeing me like this.

“I remember not being that introverted.”

“That’s true. Are you seeing Sehwa?”

“Yeah.”

“You guys were always together… I figured. It’ll get worse when the semester starts, right?”

When the semester starts… I entered college to seduce Sehwa.

Now that I’ve corrupted her, there’s no point in attending.

“I’m planning to drop out.”

“Really? Why? You really liked future science.”

“I do. But even without going to school, I can do work related to future science if I put my mind to it.”

“You sound so rich? Future science costs a lot of money.”

It seems Sehwa hasn’t told her about my wealth.

From what I’ve gathered, Yeonsu isn’t dirt poor, but she’s just an ordinary person.

She was scouted off the street, so she’s just an aspiring actress now, and she’ll have to pay back her agency’s investment after her debut.

In short, Yeonsu is a girl who can be seduced with money. And I’ve already set the stage.

“I’m just not starving. You’re an actress, right?”

“Yeah. I joined an agency. WW Entertainment.”

World Wide Entertainment. I already knew Yeonsu was signed here from my research.

It’s not even a big agency, but the name is so grandiose that I laughed at it.

I widened my eyes and pretended to be surprised.

“WW Entertainment? World Wide Entertainment?”

“Yeah. You know it?”

“I know it well.”

“It’s a bit famous.”

Seeing Yeonsu puff up with pride made me laugh.

That’s not what I meant by knowing it well…

Well, I’ll let her find out naturally.

That way, she’ll fall for me.

“Jihyuk, let’s not stand here. It’s too hot.”

At Yeonsu’s words, I nodded with a smile and took her to the public parking lot.

I had brought a decent car, so Yeonsu’s face brightened considerably.

She calmly got into the passenger seat and asked.

“Where’s Sehwa? Does she know you’re meeting me?”

“I’m just meeting an old friend. Sehwa does that often too.”

I shrugged and gave a vague answer, and Yeonsu gave me a sly smile.

You sly fox. You’re going to be slave number two, following Aram.

Yeonsu might seem lacking, but she’s a model student.

Why? Getting into the Future Science department at Korea University means she’s no ordinary talent.

She might not be as good as Aram, but she’ll be a big help in managing the base and the company.

I took Yeonsu to the high-end restaurant I had reserved.

The staff treated us with utmost respect.

Yeonsu was flustered but tried not to show it.

I whispered to her as we sat at the best table.

“I’ll handle the ordering. The food is generally good, but there are a few traps.”

“Ah, okay.”

I noticed Yeonsu sighing in relief as I looked at the menu.

Yeah, like you’ve ever been to a place like this.

Even if you try to act like you have, it’s obvious.

I called the waiter and skillfully ordered the food, then asked Yeonsu.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Yeah. We’ve been together for a little over three months.”

So you started dating right after I dropped out… you fickle girl!

And you still wanted to hook up with me? Even better.

I’ll enjoy you as dessert.

I subtly pretended to be disappointed.

You know, the look of disappointment when you hear that the girl you liked has another guy.

Seeing my face, Yeonsu gave a strange smile.

“Things not going well with Sehwa lately?”

Not going well? We’re so in love it’s sickening.

Anyway, she moved on. My acting skills are the best.

Maybe I should try acting too?

“Not really. But you’re still an aspiring actress, right?”

“Yeah. The agency’s CEO is pushing me. I did an acting test, and they said it was good.”

“Really? They’re pushing you even before your debut?”

“Just…? So-so?”

“Is WW Entertainment that lacking in talent?”

At my joke, Yeonsu laughed and waved her hand.

As we chatted, the first dish arrived.

Yeonsu tried to act refined, but it was funny to see her struggle with how to hold the knife and how to eat the dish.

Who cares about that these days… but it’s cute.

I slowly cut the food and brought it to my mouth, showing Yeonsu how to do it.

“What does your boyfriend do?”

“Ah, just… a classmate I’ve been close to since high school. He’s in medical school now.”

Medical school… he’s a smart guy.

“Pre-med, right?”

“Yeah. Pre-med.”

“He’ll get busy once he starts the main course.”

“That’s why I want to spend as much time with him as possible.”

You? Really?

I silently nodded and brought more food to my mouth.

It’s delicious. I hope you’re as delicious as this, Yeonsu.

**

That night.

At the office apartment, Sehwa met Yuria.

I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

I had told her to treat Yuria well, but Sehwa’s strong possessiveness made me think she might bully Yuria.

But my worries were unfounded.

“Unnie! Please take care of me!”

Sehwa said, hugging Yuria tightly with a lively expression.

Yuria, not knowing what to do, bowed her head deeply.

I thought she would be displeased, but this was a truly unexpected reaction.

Did she think of Yuria as family now that they were both demons?

Or was she just happy to see the beautiful Yuria after dealing with grotesque demons?

Whatever it was, it was good for me.

If the two got along, the synergy would be great.

It would be fun in bed later too.

“Well, please take care of me…”

Yuria greeted awkwardly.

Sehwa gently scolded her.

“You have to act outside the base. You know that, right?”

Yuria glanced at me and nodded.

“Ah, yes… that’s right… sorry.”

“How was the base? Did you see Marcella too?”

Sehwa bombarded her with questions with sparkling eyes.

Yuria’s fear gradually subsided thanks to Sehwa’s friendliness, and soon the two were chatting away.

I watched them with a pleased expression.

If they’re like this, I can leave them alone without any major issues. I can go to Busan with Marcella without worry.

“Jihyuk! Can I go out with unnie?”

As I was sitting on the sofa lost in thought, Sehwa asked.

“Go ahead. Don’t cause any trouble.”

“Okay.”

As the two left, I took the portal to Marcella’s lab in the base.

She was still busy working and stood up to greet me.

“Demon King, you’re here?”

“Yeah. What were you doing?”

“I was looking for Caroline and Celine.”

“Still no results?”

“No… Should we turn our eyes to space?”

I shook my head.

“How are we supposed to search all of space? Let’s just wait until they appear on Earth.”

“Understood… I’m sorry…”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. It’s my fault for being complacent. What about the WW Entertainment acquisition?”

“It’s in progress… but I think a partnership with our fashion company would be better. Entertainment agencies attract explosive public attention… If you or I become the representative, we’ll attract a lot of attention.”

“It’s still time to hide?”

“Yes. I think so. We could make Choi Aram the representative, but her brainwashing isn’t complete yet…”

I trust Marcella 100%.

She has never done anything harmful to me.

If she says so, then it must be so. It’s better to follow her decision.

“Understood.”

“Shall we restart the Aiter replication research?”

“Yeah. But start four days from now.”

Marcella tilted her head.

“Four days from now?”

“I have to keep my promise to you. Let’s go to Busan. I’ll make up a good excuse for Sehwa, so don’t worry.”

At those words, Marcella’s pupils trembled.

She looked moved. I can’t just leave such pure love alone.

I’ll enjoy a sweet date with Marcella and then make my move.

Right now, keeping my promise to her is the top priority. Nothing is more important than this.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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